Persevering Through A Crisis

JUNE 2020

Persevering Through a Crisis

by Dynesha Lank, JMG College Success Student

“Two weeks before the pandemic hit, I was enrolled at the University of Maine at Machias and working two jobs. I was a CNA at a nursing home and waitressing at a local pizza shop. My fiance, Alex, was in school full-time for heating and plumbing. I was also pregnant with our second child, who was due in March. We had saved up just enough money so I could take a few weeks off for maternity leave, and I let my boss know I’d be back. Then the pandemic hit.

The pizza shop shut down, and with a newborn baby at home, I couldn't risk working at the nursing home because of the threat of contracting COVID-19. Alex's classes were canceled and without certification, he couldn't get a job in his field. I didn't know if we'd have enough money for diapers and food, and stayed awake at night worrying that our car would be repossessed. We were barely scraping by. This whole time I was still trying to keep up with my college coursework. Midterms were coming – and my computer died.

Then my JMG College Success Specialist, Tara Poole, called. She told me JMG had raised emergency funds to help students get through the crisis. She sent us a gift card for groceries and paid our car bill for the month. I was shocked and in tears. When she said she would be sending me a new laptop so I could take my midterms, I said I couldn't accept it; that JMG had already done so much. We fought – and she won. When JMG says they support their students, they don’t just mean in the classroom. Because of JMG's help, my family is OK and I'm not only still in school, I made honor roll! I am forever grateful."

STUDENT CENTERED

A Letter from JMG's President

Dear JMG Friends,

It goes without saying that none of us will soon forget the 2019-2020 school year, as it has been filled with challenge and uncertainty. At the same time, we have witnessed many inspirational moments and achievements. Dynesha’s story above is just one example of the perseverance of an individual and the role JMG plays in keeping students on the path toward their educational and career goals. There is no shortage of these stories as JMG, with support from our school, corporate and foundation partners has:

Distributed 3,000 grocery gift cards to students and their families

Helped 38 students maintain housing with support for rent

Provided internet access and/or laptops to 19 students to keep them engaged in distance learning

Assisted 37 students with car payments, insurance and repair costs

Provided funds to support college tuition for 151 students through emergency and scholarship funds

As Maine schools re-imagine the new school year, JMG looks forward to working with the state and local school departments to be sure all students have an equal opportunity to gain the credentials and training needed to pursue meaningful careers and become valued members of Maine’s workforce. Thank you for your confidence in JMG and for supporting the students we serve.

Sincerely,

Craig Larrabee

President & CEO

RESULTS DRIVEN

The power of JMG's public/private

partnership during COVID-19

JMG would like to thank our more than 11,000 students across all 16 Maine counties for showing us what they are made of during this crisis. Despite serious challenges brought on by the pandemic, by teaming up with JMG, thousands of Maine students stayed engaged in school, and hundreds graduated from high school and college.

Today, these young people are more determined than ever to pursue their potential and strengthen Maine's workforce. Take a look at how JMGers from Waterville High School are leveraging the challenges from their past to secure better futures.

JMG's Commitment to Racial Equity

As we wrap up this school year, it is important for JMG to share our response to the recent events of racial violence:

JMG is deeply saddened by the negative effects of racism and violence our country has been experiencing, once again, in these past weeks. The culmination of these incidents of racism and the COVID-19 pandemic are shining a light on the obstacles to equity in our society. Institutionalized racism and social injustice create barriers for all students. JMG’s vision is to be a champion for all Maine students facing barriers to education. We have a longstanding history of directly addressing inequities, including racial inequities, to ensure all students have access to student-centered education. JMG embraces differences of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomics and culture. We understand Maine’s future will be a reflection of what we commit and contribute to our youth.

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